Industry News
In a sure sign that winter has arrived in the Sierra Nevada, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced the seasonal closure of State Route 120 West, also known as Tioga Pass. The closure affects the stretch from U.S. Highway 395 to Yosemite National Park’s eastern gate and Tioga Road through the park itself. This marks the official transition into the park’s winter season, with snow and ice making the high-altitude route impassable.
Tioga Pass, the highest highway pass in California at an elevation of 9,945 feet, is a crucial artery during the summer and fall months, providing access to Yosemite’s stunning high country. However, it typically closes each winter due to heavy snowfall and hazardous conditions.
This year’s closure, effective November 25, comes about a week later than the 20-year historical median and the 20-year historical average of November 14 and 17, respectively. The National Park Service’s records show that the latest the pass has closed in the last 20 years was December 31 in 2011 and the earliest closure in recent history was October 17 in 2004. The timing of the closure varies annually based on weather patterns.
With Tioga Pass now closed, travelers heading to Yosemite or the eastern Sierra are encouraged to plan alternate routes. State Route 140 (via Mariposa) and State Route 41 (via Oakhurst) remain open year-round and provide access to Yosemite Valley.
For up-to-date road conditions, motorists can visit Caltrans QuickMap or download the QuickMap app for real-time updates. Drivers are also reminded to carry chains and prepare for rapidly changing weather, as snowstorms can impact even lower elevation routes.
While the closure of Tioga Pass may limit access to Yosemite’s high-altitude landscapes, it also signals the arrival of a new season of activities in the park. Visitors can look forward to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the park’s snowy meadows and forests, with Badger Pass Ski Area expected to open soon for winter recreation.
